Top marks to David Cameron for climbing off the EU fence

TOO often politicians in a tight spot put up a smokescreen of mealy-mouthed platitudes in the hope that by ducking and diving they can extricate themselves.

PUBLISHED: 00:01, Mon, May 12, 2014

We salute David Cameron for his courage and frankness[GETTY]

There was no such performance by David Cameron yesterday and we salute him for his courage and frankness.

The country now knows unequivocally where he stands over our future in the European Union.

There is a cast-iron guarantee of an in-out referendum – whether or not he can negotiate a better deal with Brussels.

The Daily Express crusade to give you the right to decide this most important of issues has earned its reward.

There is a cast-iron guarantee of an in-out referendum – whether or not he can negotiate a better deal with Brussels

The Prime Minister recognises the massive groundswell of public opinion behind our campaign and by declaring that he “will not sit on the fence” he gives free rein to the one thing the Brussels autocracy hates: democracy.

Cameron’s message to Labour and the Lib Dems could not be clearer: don’t stand in the way of the public’s right to have its say. They will do so at their peril.

The PM faces a torrid time as Ukip threatens to damage the Conservatives in the European elections.

But that should now be just a temporary setback – for Cameron’s bold declaration yesterday means there will be only one party at next year’s general election that can give the people of Britain what they so dearly want.

Disgrace of the care cap

WITH every passing day it becomes more obvious that the Government’s much-vaunted cap on the cost of residential care remains a massive kick in the teeth for hard-working people who deserve respect in their old age.

A shocking report warns many elderly people will still be forced to sell their homes and raid savings, some of them having to pay £140,000 before the cap takes effect.

Worryingly, there is a huge inequality gap between women and men and also between those who live in the North and the South. Nothing appears to have been done to address this or any of the other pressing needs.

We spend millions on lazy scroungers but can’t find the money to offer tax breaks to encourage working people to build up a special savings pot to fund their twilight years.

It’s hard to believe a Conservative Chancellor can feel easy about this insulting anomaly.